Old English names for a boy - thoughts?

[Lindalove]

We are trying to find some lovely old, proper old, English and Anglo-Saxon names for our baby boy due in April next year. Its worth saying we live in a part of London which is very literary and practically every child has an interesting name... I think the trick is finding something interesting and classy though. And not too weird, but weird is a subjective thing....

Anyway thoughts welcome on the following:

Caedmon (after the old english poet. Pronounced Cade-mon or Cad-mon, I prefer the former)

Hereward (after Hereward The Wake the famous warrior.... pronounced Herr-er-ward)

Leofric (I doubt this will make it through but I love it, just don't care for 'Leo' as it will I am sure be shortened to)

Machen (pronouced Make-in, not actually Anglo-Saxon, but named after Arthur Machen the author).

I vote for alban or neot.

My thoughts generally: these names are pretty weird to me, as are spellings and how to pronounce. You might not be bothered about pronunciation but your son might be. Just things to consider.

Machen is nice.

I like dwayne! Makes me think of the rock. Getting side tracked. Alban- he can be called al when he moves
Outside of stokey

No ideas. But round our fenland area Hereward is pronounced he-re-wood with short e sounds.

For all the people suggesting Bede - it is a lovely name, but I live very close to the OP and have met 5 different young Bedes in the local park in the last few months. That's a lot of children with the same 'unusual' name!

(I don't know you, OP, I just live nr Stokey)

What I meant was, there are plenty of names that people get pronunciation wrong with, so its not a massive worry practically. If you like a name you can always change it spelling to help. Many Irish names are impossible to pronounce but that doesn't stop a lot of people using them, and them being beautiful sounding names. Same with Welsh names. There is a tradition along those lines!

I agree old names are weird, which is IMO what makes them really nice, I think. Its a question of balance. I'm really after testing which seem less weird to most people.... ! Caedmon so far seems favourite.

All feedback appreciated though, thanks.

Imagine your trend setting pride OP as you called out to little Howard in the park while everyone else was bellowing to little Aethelstan, Edwig and Hrothulf.

Aelred

Lorcan (irish name, but still lovely)

I thik Caedmon is a TOUCH pretentious, but if you want to be...

John is a pretty old name, and as far as I know, it's not that common anymore either.

(Also it sounds like 'Cayman' - type of crocodile thingy)

Try Grendell, then you can revel in being Grendell's mother!

Hrothgar would be an awesome name to resurrect.

Bran? I know it is used in fiction story's a lot and it's not really unusual.

But, Brans talking head requested to be buried at White hill London. To protect England from invaders. So very patriotic name with London history?

Bran was the name of Fionn MacCumhaill's dog.

I really wanted Beowulf as DS middle name but was vetoed - I still feel like changing/inserting it every so often.
We live close to Stokey (attending a few baby groups there etc) and many of the names are fairly normal. I do know of one Fox though which I think is awful - poor kid
We also ruled out Gawain because of the Wayne risk!

THe world needs more baby Herewards ! I know of one, he'd be an adult now.

Bede (regardless of popularity)
Harald
Syward
Or just cut through all the hassle and call him Fric.

Fric made me all f-y now, so what about:
Felix
Finian
Faran

It cracks me up that Bede is so popular! Who'da thunk it.

Maybe its just the kids' names I hear shouted in the park then! "Wulfred! Its time for your hemp and organic gammon roulard!"

We've got a Merlin, Peregrine and Titus around here (OK so not ye olde english but interesting nevertheless). Also a Tiger (sister of Peregrine I think).

Baldrick?

Dickon is Old English apparently...?

There are three Beowulfs that I know of here!

But this is in a town that's twinned with Narnia...

I know a wee Caedmon. I think it's super.

This meets none of your criteria but I love it and want someone to use it!...

Phoebus

Asleeponasunbeam ... my guess is Totnes.